09/14/2023 Libya (International Christian Concern) – More than 5,100 people have died, with thousands more missing and feared dead, in the Libyan city of Derna after severe flooding. The flooding was caused by “Storm Daniel” that swept across the Mediterranean coast, causing strong winds, heavy rains, and burst dams on the outskirts of the city.
Much of the city’s infrastructure, including bridges and homes, were destroyed by the flood, leading to emergency response teams being dispatched, both nationally and from several international nations, as Libya prepares mass graves for the killed residents and the nation enters days of mourning.
Libya is still deeply divided politically after a decade of civil conflict that began with the Arab Spring overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi’s government’s 42 years of rule. Open Doors’ 2023 Persecution Watchlist ranks the country as the 5th nation with the most extreme persecution of Christians in the world. The nation has a long history of restricting information regarding Christianity with harsh apostasy judgments on any Libyan national who considers converting to Christianity. In April of this year, foreign Christian workers and associated Libyan Christians were detained in Libya, amid the latest in a long history of persecution against Christians in Libya.
Please pray for the nation of Libya in this time of crisis, that many seeking answers to this tragedy would find hope in Christ. Also, pray for secret Christians in Libya who are also suffering during this tragedy.
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